Director, PLA Program & Manufacturer Partnerships

Sunlife; Southwestern Ontario; Hybrid; CAD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Benefits

Recognition as Best Workplace in 2026

Diversity and inclusion programs

Job summary

Sun Life is seeking a Director, PLA Program & Manufacturer Partnerships to lead the Product Listing Agreement program and strategic relationships with pharmaceutical manufacturers. You will develop and execute partnership strategies, oversee agreement execution, and ensure competitiveness and sustainability of group benefits drug plans.

You will lead cross-functional teams, monitor industry trends, and present strategic recommendations to senior leadership and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Strategic vision with actionable initiatives and measurable outcomes.
• Expert knowledge of pharmaceutical market access and drug reimbursement.
• Ability to assess complex evidence and models, including pharmacoeconomics.
• Proven ability to lead complex negotiations and partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute drug plan management strategies and sustainability initiatives.
• Evolve PLA program through partnerships and value optimization.
• Oversee development and performance of product listing agreements.
• Ensure agreements remain competitive and compliant with regulations.
• Lead negotiations with pharmaceutical manufacturers and manage relationships.
• Monitor market research and translate insights into strategic recommendations.
• Inspire and coach a cross-functional team and manage priorities.
• Lead working groups and steering committees to align priorities.
• Represent Sun Life in client presentations and industry forums.

Skills

Strategic vision and execution

Cross-functional leadership

Pharmaceutical market access

Public policy understanding

Negotiation and deal making

Budget impact and pharmacoeconomics

Communication to senior leadership

Team coaching and development

Education

Bachelor of Pharmacy or Doctor of Pharmacy Degree

Job description

You are as unique as your background, experience and point of view. Here, you’ll be encouraged, empowered and challenged to be your best self. You'll work with dynamic colleagues - experts in their fields - who are eager to share their knowledge with you. Your leaders will inspire and help you reach your potential and soar to new heights. Every day, you'll have new and exciting opportunities to make life brighter for our Clients - who are at the heart of everything we do.

Job Description

Reporting to the Assistant Vice-President, Pharmaceutical Benefits & Innovation, the Director, PLA Program & Manufacturer Partnerships leads Sun Life’s Product Listing Agreement (PLA) program and strategic relationships with pharmaceutical manufacturers. Working with their team, this leader develops and executes pharmaceutical partnership and negotiation strategies that strengthen the competitiveness and long-term sustainability of Group Benefits drug plans.

What will you do?

• Develop, lead and execute drug plan management strategies and plan sustainability initiatives across key product areas and disease states.
• Evolve Sun Life’s Product Listing Agreement (PLA) program by strengthening internal and external partnerships, identifying opportunities to improve program value, and advancing priorities aligned with drug plan competitiveness and sustainability.
• Oversee the development, implementation, ongoing management, and performance of Sun Life’s product listing agreements.
• Ensure product listing agreements remain relevant and competitive in response to market dynamics and comply with applicable regulatory requirements.
• Lead relationships with pharmaceutical manufacturers, including strategic partnership discussions, negotiations, agreement implementation, and ongoing relationship management.
• Proactively monitor and synthesize market research, industry trends, public policy developments, and competitive activity affecting pharmaceutical reimbursement, and translate these insights into strategic recommendations.
• Lead and inspire a cross-functional team by setting clear priorities, fostering collaboration, and coaching and developing direct reports and colleagues.
• Lead working groups and steering committees, as needed, to establish shared priorities, support informed decision-making, and maintain cross-functional alignment.
• Represent Sun Life and the Pharmaceutical Benefits team at client presentations, industry committees, and conferences, as required.

What do you need to succeed?

• Proven ability to establish a strategic vision and translate it into actionable initiatives and measurable outcomes.
• Expert-level knowledge of pharmaceutical market access, value proposition development, public and private drug reimbursement processes, and relevant public policy.
• Demonstrated ability to assess and synthesize complex evidence and models, including pharmacoeconomic evaluations and budget impact assessments.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex negotiations and achieve outcomes that support business and partnership objectives.
• Proficiency in reviewing binding legal agreements and assessing their business implications.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated ability to develop and deliver clear, professional, and impactful presentations to senior leadership and external stakeholders.
• In-depth business knowledge, including product development and project management.
• Demonstrated agility and ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities effectively.
• Innovative and creative problem solver who is a proven collaborator with experience facilitating group discussions
• Broad business acumen, strong decision-making skills

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Pharmacy or Doctor of Pharmacy Degree
• 7+ years experience in the pharmaceutical market access or insurance industry
• Two to three years of experience leading cross-functional initiatives or developing strong business-to-business partnerships.

As this position is posted in several locations, we specify that bilingualism (French, English, both oral and written) is required for Quebec only for the frequent interactions with English and French-speaking colleagues or internal partners across Canada or worldwide.

What's in it for you?

• Working together, sharing common values, and encouraging growth & achievement
• Flexible Benefits from the day you join to meet the needs of you and your family.
• We are proud to be on the 2026 Best Workplaces in Canada list by Great Place to Work.
• We’re also listed as one of the Best Workplaces for Women and Best Workplaces with Most Trusted Executive Teams.
• Join one of our many Inclusion Networks. These voluntary, employee-led groups are dedicated to creating connection, fostering inclusivity, and building community.
• Charitable giving through our You Give, We Give program lets you give back to your community – and in many cases, we’ll match your contributions.

The Base Pay range is for the primary location for which the job is posted. It may vary depending on the work location of the successful candidate or other factors. In addition to Base Pay, eligible Sun Life employees participate in various incentive plans, payment under which is discretionary and subject to individual and company performance. Certain sales focused roles have sales incentive plans based on individual or group sales results.

Diversity and inclusion have always been at the core of our values at Sun Life. A diverse workforce with wide perspectives and creative ideas benefits our Clients, the communities where we operate and all of us as colleagues. We welcome applications from qualified individuals from all backgrounds.

Persons with disabilities who need accommodation in the application process, or those needing job postings in an alternative format, may e-mail a request to [e-mail].

We are proud to be a hybrid organization that offers our employees the choice and flexibility to work from both the office and virtually based on the needs of the business, our Clients and you.

We may use artificial intelligence to support candidate sourcing, screening, interview scheduling.

We thank all applicants for showing an interest in this position. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Salary Range

130,000/130 000 - 180,000/180 000

Job Category

Product

Posting End Date

06/11/2026